More than 20,000 people have signed a petition backing plans for an extension to the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital which goes before the planning committee next week.

And the council planning department is recommending councillors support the revised application at Tuesday’s meeting (December 4) after the original scheme was rejected.

However, opponents argue the minor changes do not address the previous concerns about the extension having an overbearing impact on the occupants at 18 Bache Hall Estate which led to the refusal decision.

Even the planning officer accepts the plan is in conflict with a policy which says development giving rise to significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life ‘will not be allowed’.

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An alternative brick colour and texture have been selected for the proposed building.

Additional planting has been proposed along the boundary with 18 Bache Hall Estate. It is also suggested that a 2.1 metre boundary fence be erected immediately adjacent to the neighbour’s fence to allow further screening.

Niamh Hocking, from Tarvin, with her son Jasper who was born 11 weeks premature.

Niamh Hocking, from Tarvin, the mother of a premature baby, started the petition to overturn the council’s decision to reject plans for the enlarged neonatal unit which has now been signed by a staggering 20,442 people.

Writing in support of the plan, she said: “I wholeheartedly support the extension proposed for the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester and I hold hope that those on the planning committee decide in favour of what will undeniably benefit the community as a majority.

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“As a mother of a baby born at 29 weeks, I am unfortunately very familiar with what life becomes when you have a child relying on life saving equipment. I have nothing but praise for the staff at the Countess who do an incredible job daily, saving our children, however, the unit is outdated, there is a severe lack of space which hinders the ability to have enough equipment to do the remarkable job they are trained to do.”

The women and children's unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

But the affected neighbour wrote: “I am objecting to the revised plans to the building of the new extension of the hospital. The revisions have still not taken into account the result in a loss of privacy for my property, or the reduction in light to the rear of my property, making it darker at all times.

“I feel that the proposed extension, in combination with the existing maternity building would be overbearing, enclosing my property, and effectively boxing me in.

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Countess of Chester neonatal unit saga

“Originally we were informed that the noise from the plant room was minimal. Information was requested from the hospital representatives in regards to what the plant room would contain and what would the noise levels be. No information has been provided.”

CheshireLive will be covering the planning committee meeting which takes place from 4pm on Tuesday in Chester’s HQ building.